The Atlanta Falcons could be looking to a division rival for their offensive coordinator position. According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, the Falcons have scheduled an interview with Buccaneers wide receivers coach Bryan McClendon.
McClendon is familiar with coaching in the Georgia area, as he started his coaching career with the Georgia Bulldogs. After his playing days as a wide receiver for Georgia were over, he slowly moved up the ranks of former head coach Mark Richt’s staff, going from graduate assistant in 2007 to running backs coach in 2009, then to assistant head coach, wide receivers coach and pass-game coordinator in 2015. He even took over as the interim head coach for the 2015 TaxSlayer Bowl when Mark Richt left to coach the Miami Hurricanes.
In 2016, the South Carolina Gamecocks hired him to be their co-offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach, and he was promoted to the offensive coordinator in 2018.
Unfortunately, he was demoted to just wide receivers coach at the end of the 2019 season, with South Carolina’s offense scoring just one touchdown in the last 12 quarters of their season.
The Oregon Ducks then hired him to be their pass-game coordinator and wide receivers coach, and he even got another chance to be an interim head coach for the 2021 Alamo Bowl when Mario Cristobal left to coach the Miami Hurricanes.
McClendon went back to Georgia in 2022 to be the wide receivers coach, and he was part of the staff that defeated the TCU Horned Frogs in the national championship. In 2024, the NFL finally took notice of McClendon’s talents, and the Buccaneers hired him to be their WR coach.
His tenure with Tampa Bay has been extremely successful. With the star wideout duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin dealing with injuries, 2025 first-round pick Emeka Egbuka became a quality option in the passing attack. Meanwhile, seventh-round rookie Tez Johnson had 322 yards and five touchdowns
One of the Falcons biggest issues was wide receiver depth last season. Drake London was the only receiver in 2025 who had over 500 yards. With he and Darnell Mooney occasionally missing games due to injuries, the Falcons had to rely on practice squad wide receiver David Sills V to play significant snaps. Wide receiver coach Ike Hilliard was fired after the Falcons’ loss to the Panthers to address the wide receiver coaching.
Unfortunately, it didn’t work. The Falcons scoring offense was ranked 24th with just 20.8 points per game in 2025, and with head coach Raheem Morris fired at the end of the regular season, offensive coordinator Zac Robinson was let go as well. Former Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is the favorite for the job, but new head coach Kevin Stefanski and the Falcons are considering all their options.
Russini revealed that the Falcons interviewed Disner along with Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham, Panthers executive Brandt Tilis, and 49ers director of scouting Josh Williams, and that those meetings also “served as GM interviews.” In other words, Atlanta was evaluating candidates for both its president of football operations and general manager roles at the same time.
Why This Matters for the Detroit Lions
Disner has been a major part of Detroit’s front-office rise alongside general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell. His involvement in roster building, organizational structure, and long-term vision has earned league-wide respect, and this report confirms that other franchises view him as more than just an executive; they see him as potential GM material.
Russini added that Disner was described as “tremendous” and “polished” during the process, further boosting his reputation as one of the NFL’s most impressive young front-office leaders.
Matt Ryan Hired, But Questions Remain
The Falcons ultimately hired former NFL MVP Matt Ryan as their new team president, seemingly closing that door for Disner. However, the revelation that Atlanta also evaluated him for its general manager role raises a new question: could Disner still be in the running for a GM job, either with the Falcons or another team in the future?
Lions Can Breathe — For Now
For now, the Lions can breathe a sigh of relief knowing one of the architects of their rebuild remains in Detroit. But with executive hiring season heating up around the league, it’s clear Mike Disner’s name is firmly on the radar of teams searching for their next top football decision-maker.
Disner has been one of the most influential figures behind Detroit’s rebuild, working closely alongside general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell to reshape the franchise’s roster, cap structure, and organizational processes. His reputation as one of the league’s strongest contract and cap strategists has made him a valuable voice inside Allen Park, and now a highly attractive candidate elsewhere.
A New Power Structure in Atlanta
The Falcons recently announced plans to overhaul the top of their football operations department, creating the President of Football role to oversee both the head coach and general manager. Falcons owner Arthur Blank emphasized that the position will carry final football authority, with an expectation that the new hire will help set the vision and long-term identity of the organization.
Given that mandate, it’s no surprise Atlanta is targeting proven builders, and Disner fits that profile.
Why Disner is Highly Regarded
Disner has earned widespread respect across the league for his work in Detroit, where he helped:
stabilize a previously troubled salary cap situation
construct team-friendly contract structures
build alignment between football operations and business leadership
support Holmes and Campbell in talent-acquisition strategy
While Holmes and Campbell have been the public faces of the turnaround, insiders consistently credit Disner as a core architect of Detroit’s organizational reset behind the scenes.
What This Means for the Lions
Detroit has already seen other front-office staffers and assistants draw attention as the franchise has risen from rebuild to contender. Disner’s interview underscores just how highly the Lions’ internal culture and leadership model are viewed league-wide.
If Atlanta ultimately moves forward with Disner, Detroit would be losing not just a cap strategist but a major strategic thinker embedded in the foundation of the franchise’s resurgence.
For now, the Lions remain in wait-and-see mode, but one thing is clear: success brings attention, and the rest of the NFL is watching Detroit closely.
The Minnesota Vikings now know the teams they’ll be playing during the 2026 regular season.
The National Football League announced each team’s complete list of opponents on Monday, one day after the Vikings defeated the Green Bay Packers 16-3. Minnesota finished the 2025 season third in the NFC North with a 9-8 record.
The Vikings will battle all teams from the AFC East and NFC South, the Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers, along with their six divisional games against the NFC North.
Here’s a look at the team’s home and road opponents.
Home opponents:
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
Washington Commanders
Indianapolis Colts
Road opponents:
Chicago Bears
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New England Patriots
New York Jets
San Francisco 49ers
The team’s full schedule, including playing dates and times, will be released in the spring, the NFL said.
Next season will mark Kevin O’Connell’s fifth as head coach for the Vikings. He’s compiled a 43-25 record in 68 games with the team.
Minnesota will have the 18th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is scheduled to take place April 23-25 in Pittsburgh. The Vikings said they’ve selected from that spot three times in franchise history, selecting defensive back Dewayne Washington in 1994, defensive end Erasmus James in 2005 and center Garrett Bradbury in 2019.
NOTE: The attached video first aired on Dec. 18, 2025.
The scenario was simple: beat the New Orleans Saints, and the Carolina Panthers were in the playoffs. Lose, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would get the playoff bid. Beat the New Orleans Saints, and Atlanta would have their longest winning streak of the season (four). Lose, and the momentum that was building will be done, and another seven-win season will be in the books.
Falcons ended the season with a 19-17 victory and a sweep of their hated rivals.
Dear Carolina, you’re welcome.
With five minutes remaining in the game, Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough took off running into Falcons territory. He had been playing a good game up to that point and was a threat on the ground and through the air. His next pass, however, became his team’s downfall. The pass was intercepted by Falcons defensive back Dee Alford and returned 59 yards into Saints territory. Zane Gonzalez’s 48-yard field goal with just under three minutes remaining in the game put Atlanta ahead by nine points. Game over.
The Falcons defeated the Saints 24-10 on November 23. During that game, Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, a serious candidate for Offensive Rookie of the Year, passed for 243 yards with an interception while being sacked five times. Atlanta will finish the 2025 season among the top three teams in sacks and set a new franchise record with 55 sacks following a second-quarter sack by defensive back Dee Alford. But it was the Saints’ defense that got things started.
The New Orleans Saints (above) came into Sunday’s game in Atlanta on a four-game winning streak. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
New Orleans entered the game in Atlanta on a four-game winning streak, and a significant part of that success has been attributed to their defense. New Orleans defensive end Carl Granderson made an immediate impact on Sunday, sacking Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and picking off one of his passes during the first quarter.
Offense was a different story as the Saints got off to a much slower start than their defense. New Orleans was without its leading receiver, Chris Olave, and starting running back, Alvin Kamara. Both players have played well in Atlanta throughout their time with the Saints. The Falcons, however, had their top receiver, Drake London, back in the fold. Cousins found London in the back of the end zone for the first touchdown of the game to help give Atlanta a 7-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The 15-yard touchdown reception was London’s seventh of the season.
The Atlanta Falcons hosted the New Orleans Saints in the final home game and regular season game of the season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The second successful Falcons offensive drive was an eight-play, 31-yard drive that included a couple of spectacular runs by Bijan Robinson. Those runs put Atlanta in position for a 40-yard field goal from kicker Zane Gonzalez and a 10-0 advantage.
Robinson only needed 237 yards to set a new National Football League single-season record for yardage from scrimmage. In just his third season, Robinson had already set a Falcons franchise record a week earlier.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Saints got on the board with 5 minutes remaining in the first half when Shough scored a touchdown on a bootleg run from the 15-yard line. The extra point from Charlie Smyth made the score 10-7.
With two minutes remaining in the first half, the Saints’ offense failed to engineer a final scoring drive and put the ball back in the hands of Cousins and the Falcons with 45 seconds on the clock. Atlanta went into the half with the same score on the board.
The third quarter began with the Falcons forcing a Saints punt following a sack by Pearce, Jr. The rookie has 9.5 sacks this season to go along with 5.5 sacks by his fellow rookie Jalon Walker. The pair has more than lived up to the expectations that were placed on them during the offseason and preseason.
Scoring was minimal during the game. Atlanta took a 13-7 lead on a 51-yard field goal by Zane Gonazelz early in the third quarter and a 16-10 lead when Gonzalez made a 38-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.
New Orleans managed to pull together another scoring drive with just over a minute to play in the game. Their onside kick attempt was not as successful.
Scheduling 16 Division matchups for the final week of the regular season continues to fight the league. With only TWO of the fourteen playoff positions up for grabs which will be decided between the Ravens/Steelers Sunday night game as well as Panthers/Buccaneers (with some help from Atlanta) Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles will come into Sunday almost locked into the 3 Seed, but with a little bit of scoreboard help happening at the same time they play Washington could see them leap into the 2 Seed. A Lions win over the Bears would give the Eagles a need to compete against the Commanders, a team out for revenge from just two weeks ago.
A Vengeful Rematch
The decision to go for 2 points, putting the Eagles up 19 points late into the 4th quarter was the right decision. The Eagles had already missed two field goals, taking 6 points off the board of what ended as a 29-18 game.
The ever so clueless Dan Quinn, who hasn’t learned from his time in Atlanta. Part of the comical 28-3 Falcons Super Bowl loss. Or multiple years as the Cowboys defensive coordinator, giving up 48 points to a 7th seed Packers team in his last game on the sideline for “Americas team.”
Upset over the Eagles decision to go for 2, Quinn stated “If that’s how they want to get down, we’ll see them again in two weeks.” Feels very threatening for a Week 18 division opponent matchup. Which leads to the question.
Did Dan Quinn forget that the Eagles clinched the NFC East title with their Week 16 victory at Northwest Stadium?
The Commanders season was realistically over by their Bye Week(if not earlier) Sitting at 3-8, losing their franchise QB for weeks at a time, rushing him back from numerous injuries just to be sidelined again feels like something a desperate team would do.
Add in injuries to Tyler Biadasz, Marcus Mariota, Laremy Tunsil, Sam Cosmi, Trey Amos, amongst plenty of players like Zach Ertz, Marshon Lattimore and Austin Ekeler. The #1 thing the Commanders should be playing for on Sunday is draft position.
7th overall is a great place to be for a team that was only 22 points from punching their ticket to a Super Bowl less than 12 months ago.
If 17th year Josh Johnson is able to lead the Commanders to a nothingburger victory against Tanner McKee and what we should expect to be most of the Eagles backup & reserve players. Then I guess we can give Dan Quinn & Co. Their flowers of “only beating an Eagles backup QB” 2 years running.
Defense wins championships. In the case of the Atlanta Falcons, that will not be happening, at least not this season, but it does win games.
The Los Angeles Rams hadn’t been held scoreless during the first half of a game all season before they set foot in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night. The Falcons had failed to hold an opponent scoreless during the first half of any game this season before they began the game on Monday night.
The Atlanta Falcons are at the end of the road. There’s only one remaining game on the 2025 schedule, and after Monday night’s 27-24 victory over the Los Angeles Rams, there’s a good chance to end the season on a high note. The Falcons are now on a three-game winning streak, and the defense has to be given a ton of credit for that recent run of success.
“We got some turnovers early. I thought we did a nice job of doing that as a team,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said after the game. “That was a great team win and a great team effort to be able to hold that team scoreless.”
Rivalry Renewed: Next up for the Falcons (7-9 overall), winners of their last three, is the New Orleans Saints (6-10), winners of their last four. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford had only thrown five interceptions this season before he was picked off three times on Monday night. Jessie Bates III returned a first-half interception for a touchdown, and rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted two Stafford passes during the second quarter and the fourth quarter. Watts nearly returned the fourth-quarter interception for a touchdown, but stepped out of bounds near midfield.
“Great night. The guys came to play tonight, and they played a good football team,” said Morris, the former defensive coordinator for the Rams during their Super Bowl season in 2022.
A former college safety during his playing days at Hofstra University, Morris will happily hang his hat on the same rack as current Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Atlanta’s defense is second in the league with 53 sacks (Denver is first with 64), 11th in passing yards allowed, and 14th in total yards allowed.
During the game against the Rams, the Falcons got sacks from four different players, including Khalid Kareem, whose name was on the practice squad list as early as the beginning of the week. Leonard Floyd, Brandon Dorlus, and Ruke Orhorhoro had the other sacks.
Watts’ five interceptions is the most for a Falcons rookie since Deion Sanders had five in 1989.
That defensive effort could be seen as a sign of what this team is capable of when healthy and focused. Or it could just be a good night in a season of bad nights. The Falcons’ defense also gave up 21 unanswered points, including a touchdown on a blocked field goal late in the third quarter. Either way, the Atlanta Falcons won their seventh game of the season.
Next up for the Falcons (7-9 overall), winners of their last three, is the New Orleans Saints (6-10), winners of their last four. Neither team is going to make the playoffs, but both are playing their final game of the season with momentum on the line. Kickoff for the Sunday, January 4 game will be 1 p.m.
The Carolina Panthers were given one more possible road to the playoffs on Monday.
The Atlanta Falcons upet the Los Angeles Rams, 27-24, on Monday Night Football in Atlanta. The Falcons jumped out to a 21-0 lead by halftime, but the Rams clawed their way back in the second half, eventually tying the game late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to wide receiver Puka Nacua.
The Falcons on the ensuing drive set up kicker Zane Gonzales for the game winning field goal with less than 30 seconds left. The Rams were unable to drive down the field to tie the game, sealing the game for Atlanta.
How does this affect the Panthers’ playoff hopes?
The Panthers now have two possible roads to win the NFC South and secure the final playoff spot in the NFC.
The easiest of the two paths for the Panthers is to defeat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Bucs two weeks earlier at home 23-20. The win would give Carolina not only a season-sweep of the Bucs, but a two-game advantage over Tampa with no games remaining, securing the division.
The second scenario requires help from a division rival.
If the Panthers lose on Saturday, they would need the Falcons to defeat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. If that were to happen, the Panthers would win the division.
While all three teams would have a 8-9 record if the second scenario plays out, Carolina would hold the tie-breaker over Tampa and Atlanta due to a head-to-head records against each other.
Here is how the head-to-head records would shake out if scenario two happens:
Panthers: 3-1 vs. Bucs and Falcons.
Bucs: 2-2 vs. Panthers and Falcons.
Falcons: 1-3 vs. Panthers and Bucs.
The Panthers kick off against the Bucs at 4:30 on Saturday, while the Falcons kick off against the Saints at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
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Monday night was the second Monday Night Football game of the season for the Falcons. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Zane Gonzalez hit a 52-yard field goal to win the game. I repeat: 52 yards to win on Monday night over the Los Angeles Rams. The Falcons have now won three games in a row. This is not a prank. This is the real deal.
The Los Angeles Rams hadn’t been held scoreless during the first half of a game all season before they set foot in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons had failed to hold an opponent scoreless during the first half of any game this season. On Monday, against a team with nearly twice as many victories, Atlanta accomplished that feat.
That defensive effort could be seen as a sign of what this team is capable of when healthy and focused. Or it could just be a good night in a season of bad nights. The Falcons’ defense also gave up 21 unanswered points, including a touchdown on a blocked field goal late in the third quarter. Either way, the Atlanta Falcons won their seventh game of the season.
The Atlanta Falcons are at the end of the road. There’s only one remaining game on the 2025 schedule, and after Monday night’s victory over the Los Angeles Rams, there’s a good chance to end the season on a high note. The Falcons are now on a three-game winning streak.
On Monday night, the Atlanta Falcons faced the Los Angeles Rams in a game that meant much more to the visiting Rams than it did to the Falcons. But only in the standings. The Rams were a game behind the San Francisco 49ers and two games behind the Seattle Seahawks, two teams that had defeated the Falcons this season. Atlanta, on the other hand, was looking to extend their two-game winning streak and get another game closer to going .500 at home.
There’s one more Falcons home game to play this season. Up Next: the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, January 4, 2026. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The game got off to a competitive start, with Atlanta scoring on the second offensive possession of the game. The 11-play, 65-yard drive included Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins finding receivers David Sills IV and Darnell Mooney on long pass routes, and running back Bijan Robinson with a pair of passes, the latter for the first touchdown of the game. Robinson came into the game with 2,000 total yards from scrimmage and had already passed the 800-yard receiving mark following the first quarter. In just his third season, Robinson now has the team’s single-season record for most yards from scrimmage.
On the following defensive possession, the Falcons’ defensive front, arguably the MVP of the season, got a big fourth-down stop on their own 13-yard line. Reserve edge rusher Khalid Kareem came up with the big stop on Rams running back Kyren Williams.
Early in the second quarter, Atlanta failed to take advantage of that seven-point cushion and punted on their next possession. The Rams, led by former University of Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, did even worse on their next opportunity to score. Stafford was not only picked off by Falcons safety Jessie Bates III at the Rams’ 25-yard line, but he had to watch Bates III make his way into the end zone, putting Atlanta ahead 14-0 following the extra point by kicker Zane Gonzalez.
The interception was only the fifth of the season for Stafford. He would throw a sixth interception on the following Rams possession. Prior to Monday night, Stafford had only thrown two interceptions in one game this season, a 31-28 loss at Carolina on November 30. Stafford was sacked twice in that game. He was sacked four times during the first half of the game on Monday night.
Robinson added a second touchdown to his 125-yard first half with a 93-yard run that put Atlanta ahead 21-0 with 1:28 remaining in the first half.
Falcons rookie safety Xavier Watts intercepted two Stafford passes during the game. The latter ended a drive that could have tied the score with nine minutes remaining in the game. Watts now has five interceptions on the season.
None of that mattered as the Rams scored 21 unanswered points to tie the game at 24 with less than three minutes to play. Rams receiver Puca Nacua, who had been a problem the entire game, scored the game-tying touchdown.
Two: There are two more games remaining in the 2025 campaign, which has been an up-and-down season for the Falcons (6-9). As of late, it has been on the upswing despite the season ending with an eighth straight missed playoff berth. That said, there is still something to play for if you’re in the Falcons locker room or part of the Falcons fan base.
The Falcons will host the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football. This is the first and only Monday Night Football game of the season for Atlanta, and it’s a quality chance for the Falcons to continue to play spoiler. The Rams (11-4) are currently a game behind the Seattle Seahawks (12-3) in the NFC West. A loss in Atlanta could force the Rams to begin their playoff run on the road instead of as a top seed in the NFC.
Two: Atlanta has won two games in a row after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Both of those victories have been on the road.
Two: The Falcons have two games remaining in the season, and both are at home in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Two: Those two games will be an opportunity for the Falcons, 2-4 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium this season, to get to .500 on their home turf. A 4-4 home record might not be a big deal for most teams, but considering the season the Falcons are having, a .500 home record and a four-game win streak to close the season is a significant achievement.
Two: In both of those victories, tight end Kyle Pitts caught touchdown passes. It’s four total touchdowns in all, but they occurred in consecutive games, hence the number two. Pitts has reached the 80 reception mark and has a chance to get past 1,000 yards receiving for the second time in his career. He currently has 854 yards. His first 1,000-yard season took place nearly five years ago during his rookie season when he was catching passes from Matt Ryan.
Two: Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (1,415 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INTS) has thrown two or more touchdowns in consecutive games for the first time this season.
Two: Bijan Robinson has only scored two or more touchdowns in a game once this year. That was against the Carolina Panthers on November 16, and he scored two touchdowns. Robinson, despite having only scored six touchdowns this season, has over 2,000 yards from scrimmage. He is the third Falcon to do so in a single season.
Two: Atlanta is two games behind the Carolina Panthers (8-7) in the NFC South standings.
Two: That doesn’t matter, though. The Panthers have defeated the Falcons twice this season. Carolina defeated Atlanta 30-0 on September 21 in Charlotte and again in Atlanta, 30-27.
Two: Falcons receiver Drake London hasn’t scored a touchdown in the last two games.
First, there was a one-point win over rival Tampa Bay on Thursday Night Football, and now there are three more opportunities to potentially spoil other teams’ seasons. The Atlanta Falcons (5-9 overall) will be back in action in Arizona against the Cardinals on Sunday, and with no playoff hopes in sight, there’s still something to play for.
Atlanta will be without quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., the rest of the way, but that hasn’t stopped several Falcons from having career years. Running back Bijan Robinson is on pace for a 2,000-yard season from scrimmage despite only having four 100-yard rushing games this season. He had 93 yards rushing on Thursday night. With that, Robinson currently has 1,174 rushing yards (fourth in the NFL) and 684 receiving yards.
Robinson is currently among the top 25 in receptions and is behind only San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (86) for the top spot among running backs.
Tight end Kyle Pitts, Sr., much maligned for his play and overall effort during his four years with the Falcons, is also in the midst of a strong season. Pitts, with 73 receptions, is third amongst tight ends in receptions behind the Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (105) and Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (77). An argument can be made that McBride and Ferguson are featured targets for their teams, where Pitts, Sr. has only recently become a primary target for the current Falcons starting quarterback, Kirk Cousins, over the past few weeks.
On Thursday night in Tampa, Pitts finished the game with 11 catches for 166 yards and three touchdowns. All were season highs by a long shot. A week earlier, in a loss to Seattle, Pitts had six catches, and he had seven during a road loss at the New York Jets. Before the season highs against Tampa, Pitts had a nine-reception game against the Dolphins in a blowout loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 26.
Falcons rookie defensive end Jalon Walker said he wanted to finish his rookie season on a high note. Asked if winning the final three games of the year would be an efficient high note, Walker, who was volunteering at a holiday event in Tucker on Tuesday, said, “That’s my goal. That’s how I want to end the last chapter of my rookie season.”
Falcons rookie defensive end Jalon Walker (above) has 5.5 sacks this season. Fellow rookie James Pearce, Jr. (not shown) has eight. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Walker, a former University of Georgia standout, has 5.5 sacks and 21 tackles this season. His fellow rookie and first-round pick, James Pearce, Jr., has eight sacks.
The Falcons will close the 2025 regular season with back-to-back games at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, beginning with a meeting with one of the best teams in the NFC (at least on paper), the Los Angeles Rams. It will be a reunion of sorts for Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who was the Rams’ defensive coordinator before taking the job with the Falcons two seasons ago.
The Rams are 11-3 and looking for a bye to start their playoff run. Atlanta, on the other hand, will be looking to get over .500 at home. The Falcons are 2-4 in The Benz and can even out that record and end the season on a high note with wins over the Rams and rival New Orleans Saints in the season finale on January 4.
Atlanta Falcons rookie Jalon Walker is planning to host a coat and toy drive back in his hometown of Salisbury, North Carolina, on December 23. But first, he took time to give back to his adopted home of metro Atlanta. On Tuesday morning, Walker helped distribute bags of nonperishable food and wrapped gifts to local families in Tucker.
Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
Wearing a navy blue sweatsuit and a wide smile, Walker greeted people and posed for photos in between filling trunks outside of Rehoboth Baptist Church. He told The Atlanta Voice that giving back brings “a smile to my heart.”
“It’s always great to give back. It never gets old,” Walker said. “Seeing that smile on people’s faces, especially this time of year.”
Along with the host organization, United Health Care Community Plan of Georgia, Walker, staff members, and volunteers served over 250 people.
Falcons mascot Freddie the Falcon and a pair of Falcons cheerleaders were also on hand to help.
Walker said he wanted to finish his rookie season on a high note. Asked if winning the final three games of the year would be an efficient high note, Walker said, “That’s my goal. That’s how I want to end the last chapter of my rookie season.” Walker, a former University of Georgia standout, has 5.5 sacks and 21 tackles this season.
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Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Donnell began his career covering sports and news in Atlanta nearly two decades ago. Since then he has written for Atlanta Business Chronicle, The Southern Cross…
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While the rain poured, lines and lines of College Park families gathered to receive a Thanksgiving blessing. Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Not even the rain and chilly weather could stop the College Park residents from lining up at their local Walmart. Turkey may be synonymous with Thanksgiving, but the holiday table is ready to be graced with an abundance of other healthy and flavorful food offerings.
While the rain poured, lines and lines of College Park families gathered to receive a Thanksgiving blessing.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
Walmart partnered with the TRU Foundation, a nonprofit founded by Grammy Award-winning artist 2 Chainz and philanthropist Nakesha Epps, to serve the community in College Park with a new event called the “Greens and Things Thanksgiving Giveaway.”
Inspired by 2 Chainz’s commitment to eating clean, this initiative with Walmart reimagines traditional holiday giving with a focus on wellness and community. It also marks the first time in a decade that 2 Chainz will be personally serving in his hometown.
The first 150 families moved from station to station outside Walmart with individual tote bags and were treated to a bundle of greens, canned Thanksgiving staples, College Park Skyhawk ticket vouchers, and a $50 Walmart gift card to buy their protein and added ingredients of choice.
Walmart also donated all the canned goods being distributed. Each SkyHawk ticket voucher is good for two people.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
2 Chainz said they must lead by example for the community and the younger generation.
“This is not only an experience to remember, but we are doing this for you all, for the community. With everything going in the world and in the community, this is about finding reasons to come together, where it is not something negative or bad,” he said. “We have to come together, and we just wanted to see families smiling and bring their families together, this right here is for the sake of good.”
Epps said they started TRU Foundation in 2011 and have been giving back diligently every year to the east side and south side, places her and her husband, 2 Chainz, are from.
“We just cater to all kinds of families in need, and we don’t take that lightly. This is what we started with, this is where we started, so we are more than happy to give back to the community,” she said.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
One fan was star-struck and shouted, “Is that 2 Chainz?” The fan dabbed him up and was such in awe to have run into one of his favorite musical artists.
College Park resident Bonita Johnson said she has been here since 12:30 a.m. Monday morning waiting for this event to start.
“I wanted to be one of the first in line to receive all these Thanksgiving blessings,” she said. “I’m just so happy and grateful to the TRU Foundation and 2 Chainz for giving back to his community, it’s appreciated. Now, I’m able to make some food for my family this year.”
Other residents, Carla Levinson and her sister, said they are so happy to have received their “greens and things” and be a part of this community event.
“My sister and I were worried it would’ve been canceled due to the rain, but as you can see, this event is full of people. It’s so nice to see all the families come down to get their food and other items. We all will be eating good and together this Thanksgiving season,” she said.
Photo by Tabius McCoy/The Atlanta Voice
The event also turned into a real block party, with a DJ and hot chocolate station for all to enjoy, with two southside McDonald’s restaurants providing 150 meals for attendees (Old National Highway and Virginia Ave. locations).
The “Greens and Things Thanksgiving Giveaway” was also being supported by Atlanta Falcons cornerback A.J. Terrell Jr. and the A.J. Terrell Jr. Foundation, with a raffle taking place for game tickets.
The Atlanta Falcons are back home after defeating the New Orleans Saints 24-10 on the road on Sunday. The victory may have only been the Falcons’ first in five weeks, but it has some significance. The win reignited the discussion over what it would take to make the playoffs, at the very least.
The Falcons are back on the road against the New York Jets (2-9 overall) on Sunday. A loss to the Jets would render this entire breakdown moot. The Falcons cannot afford to lose any of their remaining games. The seven losses are more than any of the teams that are in Atlanta’s way of getting a wild card spot have. Those teams are the following: the Detroit Lions (7-4), Green Bay Packers (7-3-1), Seattle Seahawks (8-3), San Francisco 49ers (8-4), and the Carolina Panthers (6-6 following a loss at San Francisco on Monday night. The Panthers hold a tiebreaker over the Falcons after sweeping them this season.
Following the Jets game, the Falcons will return home to host the Seahawks, who are a game behind the L.A. Rams (9-2 overall) in the NFC West on Sunday, Dec. 7. Atlanta will host the Rams and NFL MVP candidate and former University of Georgia Bulldogs star quarterback Matthew Stafford (30 touchdowns and two interceptions this season) next month in the last Monday Night Football game of the year on Dec. 29. Both games can be described as the toughest of the season for Atlanta.
Atlanta will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday, Dec. 11, and a loss to Tampa will end the season, even if the Falcons win every other game they play from this point forward. The season-opening loss to Tampa has Atlanta in a position to not lose to the Buccaneers again or be swept by two teams in the NFC South (Carolina).
The Falcons have games against the Cardinals in Arizona on Sunday, Dec. 21, and the Saints at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to close the regular season on Jan. 4. Neither will matter if the winning doesn’t continue. The Philadelphia Eagles (8-3), Chicago Bears (8-3), Bucs, and Rams are leading their respective divisions and won’t be out of the playoff picture without a free fall of some sort.
The Falcons are not done with the 2025 season, but it will take a lot of winning and a miracle.
The Atlanta Falcons came into Sunday‘s game against the Carolina Panthers ( now 6-5 overall) three games under .500, quite a distance from first-place Tampa Bay, whom the Falcons had already lost to in week one, and on a four-game losing streak. Believe it or not, things have gotten worse.
The Falcons, now 3-7 overall, managed to score just six points in the fourth quarter against the Panthers, resulting in a 30-27 loss. Three of these points came courtesy of a clutch 52-yard field goal by Zane Gonzalez late in regulation.
This season, Atlanta is averaging 5.3 points per game during the 10 fourth quarters they have played. With the exception of the 10 points Atlanta scored against the Minnesota Vikings in week two, they haven’t reached the double-figure mark in a fourth quarter this season. Let’s get into the numbers:
The Falcons scored seven points against Tampa in a week-one loss, no points in the fourth quarter at Carolina in a 30-point loss in week three, and just three points against the Washington Commanders in a 34-27 victory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Atlanta was ahead 31-16 after three quarters and only managed a field goal the rest of the way.
In a week six win over the Buffalo Bills, the Falcons scored only three points in the fourth quarter, marking the last game they would win for the next five weeks. Atlanta did not score in the fourth quarter of their 20-10 loss at San Francisco in week seven.
The fourth-quarter scoring picked up a bit when the Falcons scored nine points against New England in a one-point loss on the road, and eight points in an overtime loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin, Germany, last week.
The Atlanta Falcons are averaging 5.3 points per game in the fourth quarter this season. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The first game of the two meetings with the New Orleans Saints, the last-place team in the NFC South and one of the worst in the National Football League, will take place in two weeks on Nov. 23 at the Caesars Superdome (4:25 p.m. kickoff). Fourth-quarter scoring might not be needed to defeat the struggling Saints (2-8 overall),
The team’s saving grace this season, despite the play on the opening drives to start the game and to start the second half on Sunday, has been the Falcons’ defense. On Carolina’s second drive of the game, the Falcons forced a punt following a sack by rookie corner Billy Bowman, Jr. That sack almost knocked Young out of the game as he was slow to get back on his feet afterward. Young had started nine of the Panthers’ 10 games this season.
This team should be able to score more points in the fourth quarter. Falcons receiver Drake London went over 100 yards receiving with his fifth reception of the first half on Sunday. Bijan Robinson had over 90 yards rushing at halftime of the loss to Carolina. It has been the second half of games that have been the issue this season.
The Saints game is followed by a trip to New Jersey to play the New York Jets on Sunday, Nov. 30. The opportunity for the Falcons to make the playoffs might be dwindling, but getting back to .500 is a realistic possibility. That, however, will start with scoring in the fourth quarter.
Bryce Young had the game of his NFL life Sunday, throwing for a franchise-record 448 yards in the Carolina Panthers’ 30-27 overtime cliffhanger of a win at Atlanta.
It was thrilling to watch, all the more so for its unexpectedness. Young had thrown for 200-plus yards only once this entire season, and yet in this game before a sold-out crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium he threw for 200 and then 248 more. He also was playing on a bum right ankle, which he reinjured on two separate occasions during the game.
And yet Young kept coming back, and so did the Panthers, who looked in danger of being blown out when they were down 21-7 to the Falcons in the second quarter. Instead, they climbed back into the game from 14 points down and moved to 6-5 on the season with the win. With Tampa Bay’s loss Sunday to Green Bay, Carolina now sits only a half-game behind the 6-4 Buccaneers in the race for the NFC South.
“What a day,” Panthers head coach Dave Canales said. “I don’t think we have any more plays left on the call sheet.”
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young celebrate after Sunday’s overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
After those 448 yards, Young still had trouble stepping up the 12 inches it took to traverse one step up to the interview podium following the game. He limped into that room with a smile on his face, though, after breaking Cam Newton’s franchise record of 432 passing yards (set in his very first game, in 2011).
“Definitely honored,” Young said about breaking Newton’s record. “I have so much respect for Cam.”
The Panthers’ big-play passing game that came up so small a week ago in Carolina’s home loss to woeful New Orleans was omnipresent in Atlanta, with a 54-yard catch-and-run to tight end Tommy Tremble providing the final yardage to set up Ryan Fitzgerald’s 28-yard, game-winning field goal in overtime.
But there were eight other Carolina pass plays of 20 or more yards, including a 36-yard fingertip grab of a touchdown by Xavier Legette and a 39-yarder to outstanding rookie Tetairoa McMillan. This was Young at his best, spraying the ball all over the field against Atlanta (3-7), which stole New Orleans’ game plan of selling out to stop the run from last week but utilized it to much less good effect.
A medical staffer checks out Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young during Sunday’s first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Young briefly left the field after injuring his ankle but never missed an offensive snap. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
All of that seemed so unlikely in the first quarter, when Young was sacked on a blitz on Carolina’s second possession and lay on his back on the turf. The training staff and Canales both ran out to check on him. It was obvious Young was hurting.
“Pain’s an accurate way to sum it up,” Young said.
“It was scary, man,” Tremble said. “That’s a scary, scary thing when your quarterback’s on the ground and obviously in pain.”
Backup quarterback Andy Dalton started warming up. Young got up on his own accord and limped into the tunnel, waving off a cart that had been designated to drive him to the locker room. He had been sacked on a third-down play, so the Panthers punted, and by the time they got the ball again, Young had passed the necessary tests for ankle stability and was back.
“He gave me a thumbs up and said, ‘I’m good,’” Canales said. “I said, ‘That’s good enough for me. Let’s get him back out there.’”
Young had directed Carolina to a first-drive touchdown, but when he came back, the magic largely stalled. Atlanta scored on three consecutive possessions, rolling through the Panthers’ defense. It was 21-10, Atlanta, at halftime.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young runs the ball against Ronnie Harrison Jr. of the Atlanta Falcons during Sunday’s first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Todd Kirkland Getty Images
But the Panthers scored on their first drive of the second half, too, and made it a game again. Atlanta’s Big Three on offense — quarterback Michael Penix Jr., running back Bijan Robinson and wide receiver Drake London — had their way with Carolina in the first half, but not in the second. By the end, both Penix and London were hurt and out of the game, and it was Robinson and backup quarterback Kirk Cousins trying to get it done for the Falcons.
Young hurt the same ankle again on a fourth-and-1 play in the fourth quarter. He was under center — where the Panthers rarely put him — and got his ankle stepped on by right guard Chandler Zavala, falling down as he backed up and getting piled on while also giving up the ball on downs. Still, the Panthers survived when Carolina’s defense held Atlanta to a field goal.
Down 24-19, Young got the Panthers into scoring position again on the team’s last drive of regulation. After Rico Dowdle’s apparent touchdown on a screen pass was ruled no TD because Dowdle barely stepped out of bounds at the 10 — “If he had white cleats on, it might be a touchdown,” Canales said — Young found McMillan after a scramble from 12 yards out. Then came a two-point conversion pass to Jalen Coker to make it 27-24, Carolina, with 1:08 to play.
That could have won the game, but Cousins led Atlanta a game-tying field goal at the end of regulation. So it needed to be won yet again. The Falcons went nowhere in overtime. On Carolina’s final possession, Young went through all of his progressions before ending up on Tremble, who hadn’t had a catch the entire game. He grabbed the ball, saw an opening and bolted down the field for 54 yards.
Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young throws a pass during Sunday’s third quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Jonathan Bachman Getty Images
“When you can get through your progressions and throw a 6-yard pass and it goes for 40 or 50,” Young said, “that’s a real luxury.”
That’s a good point. The Panthers’ receivers caught everything near them Sunday. Young’s glorious final stats — 31 for 45 for 448 yards, with three passing TDs and no turnovers — were helped by all sorts of leaping, diving and fingertip catches. Suddenly, the Panthers looked like a team which didn’t need to just rely on Dowdle, who was limited to 45 rushing yards by Atlanta’s stacked boxes.
In a sport where toughness is prized, Young’s teammates kept pointing out his return from the ankle injury.
“I’m proud of 9,” said defensive tackle Derrick Brown, referring to Young’s jersey number. “He played through injury today. … I’m sure he’s gonna need a few days to recover, but it’s OK, we got a long week this week (the Panthers don’t play again until on Monday Night Football on Nov. 24 at San Francisco). And he was getting the ball downfield to those guys. … Everybody got a slice of pie.”
Yes, they did. Sunday was a “pie for everyone” sort of day for the Panthers and their fans. Carolina has on a yo-yo for much of this season — a great win at Green Bay followed by a lousy loss to New Orleans. This, though, was another high point, led by a 5-foot-10 quarterback who just wouldn’t stay down.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
The Atlanta Falcons are now 3-7 after wasting away a huge first-half lead to the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday afternoon. The 30-27 overtime loss put the Falcons on a nearly impossible road to a playoff berth.
Being swept by the Carolina Panthers can singularly define the 2025 season. A 28-yard field goal from Panthers kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, his second of the game, was the final blow of the afternoon.
Fourth-quarter scoring has been an issue for the Falcons this season. Backup quarterback Kirk Cousins came in for an injured Penix, Jr. at the beginning of the fourth quarter and proceeded to lead the team into several punt situations. Carolina followed with a three-and-out and gave the ball back to Atlanta with 10:11 remaining in the game. Neither team could move the ball during the final 15 minutes of the game.
With 2:43 remaining in the game, Zane Gonzalez made a 52-yard field goal to give Atlanta some breathing room at 24-19. The three points were the only points the Falcons scored during the second half of the game.
Carolina mounted a successful eight-point scoring drive to take the lead at 27-24 with less than a minute and a half remaining in the game. Carolina quarterback Bryce Young has always played well in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Sunday’s game was another notch in his belt.
The Falcons’ defense was without veteran starters Dee Alford, Mike Hughes, and Leonard Floyd on Sunday. And that didn’t help as the National Football League (NFL) leader in pass defense gave up a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. Despite rookie edge rusher James Pearce, Jr. recording another sack, the Panthers converted two third downs and a fourth down possession en route to Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The touchdown was Young’s 12th of the season and McMillan’s third.
The Falcons’ offense, led by quarterback Michael Penix, Jr., immediately marched downfield and scored on a four-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a four-yard touchdown run by Bijan Robinson. During the drive, Penix found his best receiver, Drake London, for two long pass plays. The ease with which the Falcons scored on that drive leads one to believe this can happen all the time. At least in terms of this season, it hasn’t.
The team’s saving grace this season, despite the play on that opening drive, has been the defense. On Carolina’s second drive of the game, the Falcons forced a punt following a sack by rookie corner Billy Bowman, Jr. That sack almost knocked Young out of the game as he was slow to get back on his feet afterward. Young had started nine of the Panthers’ 10 games this season.
Both Young and Penix, Jr., were knocked around a bit during this game. Penix, Jr., took a tough hit during a third-down possession in the third quarter and was also slow to get to his feet. Penix, Jr. was also announced as “questionable” with knee soreness. Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins started the fourth quarter.
Atlanta’s third offensive possession of the game wasn’t as smooth, but it ate up 8:07 of game clock and ended in a second touchdown for Robinson. Arguably one of the five best offensive players in the NFL, Robinson only had three touchdowns coming into the game. His one-yard rush put the Falcons ahead 14-7 midway through the second quarter. He was well on his way to having a 100-yard game before halftime. If accomplished, it would be his third such game of the season.
London went over 100 yards receiving with his fifth reception of the first half. The pass from Penix, Jr. was for 22 yards down into the Panthers’ red zone. The Panthers had a pair of holding penalties that further hurt their chances of stopping the Falcons’ offense. Another short run, this time by Tyler Allgeier, resulted in a third Falcons touchdown and a 21-7 lead with 1:41 remaining in a nearly flawless first half. The touchdown gave Allgeier seven touchdowns for the season, a team-high.
Carolina wasn’t through, with Young finding McMillan again for a long gain down into Falcons territory with just under a minute and a half to play in the half. The Panthers left the field for the locker room with a successful 29-yard field goal in hand, and a 21-10 deficit in the books.
Similar to the first half, Carolina scored on its opening drive of the half. Young found receiver Xavier Leggette for a touchdown to cut the Atlanta lead to 21-16. Panthers second-year head coach David Canales decided to go for a two-point conversion, which was unsuccessful. No matter, the Falcons immediately gave their guests the ball back after fumbling the ensuing kick-off.
That fumble was the turning point of the game as the Panthers drove the field with Young finding Legette again, and Panthers running back Rico Dowdle moving the chains into Falcons’ territory. On a fourth and one on the Falcons’ eight-yard line, Canales, apparently a gambling man, decided to go for it instead of kicking a field goal. Young was stopped on a bootleg run, and Atlanta got the ball back. A touchdown there could have been apocalyptic for the Falcons.
Carolina would pick up three points on a 34-yard field goal following a 10-play drive to move within two points, 21-19, at the end of the third quarter.
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young points to the sky after a play against the Atlanta Falcons at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., on Sunday, September 21, 2025.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium. In front of a bunch of towel-waving Atlanta Falcons fans. It’s the place where he ran for two touchdowns and threw for three more. Young smiled. He celebrated after first downs. He sliced through several different coverages and got a shout-out from Steph Curry and jumped into teammates’ arms. And importantly, he — and his team — won.
That Week 18 game in 2024 might feel a bit further than it really is. Ask Young himself how he remembers the game, and the third-year quarterback will be hesitant to even acknowledge it.
“I don’t know, it was last year,” Young said Wednesday. He added, “It’s this year. It’s Week 11. And we’re 0-0. Right now it’s Wednesday, and we’re about to watch the tape of practice today. That’s where I’m at.”
Anything you could take from that 2024 performance as an offense, though?
“Different coordinator, different system, different things,” Young said. “They’ve had changes. Again, we’re deep enough in the year when there’s stuff you watch. But right now, you watch this year’s stuff, you watch how they’re playing. I always have confidence in my team. I always have confidence in myself. It’s not something I have to lean on something else for.
“What’s tangible is this week, and that’s all that matters.”
Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers looks to pass against the Atlanta Falcons during the second quarter at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Jan. 5, 2025. Kevin C. Cox Getty Images
Such responses aren’t all that surprising from Young. They’re also fair, to a certain extent. The Falcons brought in Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator this year, and a new system accompanied him. Plus, the Panthers have a whole other more reliable data set on who the Falcons are and how they match up with the Carolina offense: In the Panthers’ 30-0 win in Week 3, the Atlanta defense mostly held the Panthers’ offense at bay somehow — it was the Panthers’ defense and a near-perfect special teams performance that made the game so lopsided.
Young, specifically, completed 16 of 24 passes for 121 yards and his only touchdown contribution was one he recorded on the ground.
The Panthers’ Tommy Tremble catches the ball near the end zone against the Falcons at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025. TRACY KIMBALL Tkimball@hearldonline.com
But there still is something worth exploring about Young’s ability against the Falcons. The 5-foot-10, 204-pound quarterback only has 11 wins to his name, and three of them are against the Falcons. Atlanta is the only NFL team he’s played more than once and has a winning record against, too. And he’s beaten them in all types of ways: one via a defensive struggle, one in a blowout, and once after a game-winning drive capped off a barn-burner.
There must be some significance there. But get Young’s take on such a phenomenon, and he’ll resist dwelling on his previous success against his NFC South foes. He’ll only look ahead.
“They really just jump off the tape: the physicality they play with,” Young said of the current Falcons defense. “Obviously they’re playing really aggressively, they’re making a lot of plays. It’s a really good group. … We have a ton of respect for them at all three levels. They do a good job executing their scheme, and it’s a good scheme. So we’re familiar with them as an opponent, and it’s a great opportunity for us.”
Carolina’s Mitchell Evans congratulates Bryce Young after Young scores at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sept. 21, 2025. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Here’s what else from Wednesday’s availability you should know.
Dowdle misses Wednesday practice again; Hubbard looking good
Rico Dowdle missed practice for the second straight Wednesday. But there’s no reason to be alarmed, head coach Dave Canales said. Why? Because last week’s ramp-up plan is intact for this week — and Dowdle is still expected to go against the Atlanta Falcons.
“Rico is just dealing with a quad, so we just decided to give him the day off, treat it, and keep him off his feet today a little bit,” Canales said. “The plan is to get him back out there tomorrow. We’ll evaluate him in the morning, but the plan is to get him out there, to practice, to take some reps and to get himself going.”
Carolina Panthers running back Rico Dowdle during an Oct. 5, 2025, game against the Miami Dolphins in Charlotte. Grant Halverson Getty Images
Does that mean that getting more of a rotation at running back — with Chuba Hubbard — could make sense? That’s not what it meant against the Saints last week, to be clear. Dowdle notched 18 of the team’s 23 carries; Hubbard only ran three times for 14 yards.
But Canales said he is entertaining the possibility.
“Could be,” Canales said. “My thought is to just keep trying to play them the way they’ve been. But Chuba got in there when (Dowdle) had to come out in the game and ran hard. Had some really nice runs. So again, it’s a good situation for us, a great opportunity for us to have both guys that I really trust.”
Canales added of Hubbard: “He certainly is looking stronger and stronger. And this is attributed to his hard work. And the way that he attacks taking care of his body and getting himself back to where he wants to be. He’ll have his opportunities in there, and I expect him to continue to contribute.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, right, celebrates a touchdown with running back Rico Dowdle at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Nov. 9, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Trevin Wallace is ‘week to week,’ will miss Falcons game
Young isn’t the only one who isn’t dwelling on the past. For Claudin Cherelus, there isn’t much time to.
Cherelus, a reserve inside linebacker and special teams ace for the Panthers, will be replacing inside linebacker Trevin Wallace this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons. Wallace left this past Sunday’s game against the Saints with a shoulder injury and didn’t return — and on Wednesday, Canales told reporters that Wallace will be “week to week” and won’t play against the Atlanta Falcons.
Carolina Panthers Tre’von Moehrig and Trevin Wallace (32) tackle the New Orleans Saints’ Juwan Johnson on Nov. 9, 2025 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Cherelus isn’t unfamiliar with filling in for an inside linebacker in Ejiro Evero’s system. But is it simple? No.
“A lot of people will tell you that being a backup in this league is one of the hardest things,” Cherelus said Wednesday. “You won’t get the same amount of reps, and you gotta be ready when your name is called. So you kinda gotta embrace that difficulty. I’ve been ready, I’ve been practicing the same way, just as hard, whether I’m going in or not.”
Canales told reporters that it is still being determined who will call the plays on the defense. One of the two starters, Christian Rozeboom, began 2025 wearing the green dot but once those duties got passed on to Wallace, the team said that Rozeboom began playing more “free” — and Wallace’s production increased, too.
When asked whether Cherelus has any experience calling plays, he smiled and answered in the affirmative. It might’ve been for only one play, last season, sandwiched in between starting inside linebacker Josey Jewell going down with an injury and Cherelus having to leave the game with an injury of his own.
But still, as Chereuls clarified:
Still counts.
“So yeah, I got green dot experience,” Cherelus said Sunday.
Panthers Jaycee Horn (8) and Claudin Cherelus (53) celebrate after a play Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Carolina Panthers first injury report of Week 11
Here is the Panthers’ injury report released Wednesday, the first day of practice ahead of their Week 11 matchup with the Atlanta Falcons.
Did not participate: S Lathan Ransom (hand), Trevin Wallace (shoulder).
Limited participation: Derrick Brown (knee).
Those who showed up on the injury report but who were full participants included receiver Brycen Tremayne (hip) and Chandler Zavala (elbow). Both missed the game against the New Orleans Saints.
Panthers special teams players Brycen Tremayne, second from left, and Bam Martin-Scott, second from right, rush the field during the game against the Dolphins at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina on Oct. 5, 2025. Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez mrodriguez@charlotteobserver.com
Quick hits
—Tre’Von Moehrig is tied for eighth in the league with nine tackles for loss, the most among all safeties, according to the team’s game notes. His previous season high was five last season in Las Vegas. He’s also the only safety in the league this season with 50-plus tackles, nine-plus TFL and nine quarterback pressures. Pro Bowl fan voting typically runs between late November and the end of December.
—The Panthers still have yet to allow a first-quarter touchdown in 2025. They’re now tied for the fourth-longest such streak since the 2000 season. The only teams who’ve done so longer: the Philadelphia Eagles (2017, 11 weeks); the Dallas Cowboys (2022, 11 weeks); and the New York Giants (2002, 15 weeks), according to a team release.
—The Falcons are vulnerable against the run and formidable against the pass. That could spell business for the Panthers. But then again, if they took a similar approach to the Saints this past weekend and stack the box and leave their corners on islands against Panthers receivers … that could spell trouble. The Falcons, after all, only allow 162.3 passing yards a game (best in the NFL) and have the second-highest sack percentage in the game too at 10.86%.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough, left, is sacked by Carolina Panthers safety Tre’von Moehrig at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Nov. 9, 2025. KHADEJEH NIKOUYEH Knikouyeh@charlotteobserver.com
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22.
The scene on the field after the Falcons’ 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Oct. 26, 2025. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta defense has been the most consistent part of this season thus far. The Falcons, now 3-4 overall, had allowed an opponent to score more than 28 points only once this season (30-0 at Carolina) before Sunday’s 34-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins.
That string of play ended when the Dolphins scored their 30th point of the game on a pass from Tua Tagovailoa to running back Ollie Gordion II early in the fourth quarter. Gordon II had been sharing carries with Achane throughout the game and remained a threat to score.
The defense will have to be who saves this season from going in the wrong direction. Because it doesn’t look like offense, whether Michael Penix is under center or his backup Kirk Cousins is starting again next week.
Atlanta has had difficulty scoring touchdowns this season. The Falcons have managed to score more than 25 points once in seven games, including on Sunday. That 34-point game came against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 28. It remains the best overall co-performance from the Falcons’ defense and offense. In his second year with the franchise, offensive coordinator Zach Robinson doesn’t seem to have created an offensive identity for the Falcons’ offense.
Enter Kirk Cousins, who hasn’t started a game since Dec. 12, 2024, when the Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on the road, 15-9. In that game, Cousins was 11-17 for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier had a combined 34 carries during that game for a combined 168 yards. On Sunday, the Falcons had a combined 45 rushing yards.
Robinson, top five in the National Football League in rushing prior to Sunday’s game, had 25 yards on nine carries. Despite only having had two 100-yard games this season, Robinson, with 549 yards on 106 carries in seven games, is still on pace for another 1,000-yard season.
After the game, Cousins was asked how it felt to be back out there as a starter. He told The Atlanta Voice, “Anytime you don’t have a win, it’s a tough day, but certainly the first time being back out there in 10 months, playing live football, it’s always good to get that experience.”
During the second half of the game, the Falcons’ offense had some motion before Robinson fumbled deep in Dolphins territory. The fumble was recovered by Miami cornerback Tyrel Dodson on the Dolphins’ 16-yard line. There was little, if any, consistency with the Falcons’ offense. Prior to the fumble, Cousins found Robinson on a screen play for 17 yards. During the game there were multiple opportunities to find Robinson, but he ended the game with just three catches for 23 yards.
The Falcons played their last home game for the next two weeks. They will be in New England next Sunday, and in Germany to face the Indianapolis Colts, one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season, the following Sunday, Nov. 9. Atlanta will return to Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 16 against the Carolina Panthers.
Atlanta Falcons backup quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) got the start on Sunday against the visiting Miami Dolphins. Photo by Donnell Suggs/The Atlanta Voice
The Atlanta Falcons lost the coin toss. Lost the rushing battle between Bijan Robinson and Miami’s De’Von Achane. Lost the return of Kirk Cousins to the starting lineup. Lost the game, 34-10.
The Falcons lost everything.
“Tough day at the office,” Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said. “It was a tough day all around.”
Morris admitted Miami dominated the game from start to finish. He was correct.
The Dolphins gained 141 yards on the ground today. The Falcons had just 45.
The Dolphins’ offense had 24 first downs. The Falcons only managed 11.
Miami came into Sunday’s game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with a 1-6 overall record and a three-game losing streak. The last victory was against the New York Jets, who have not won a game this season. The Dolphins are now 2-6.
The Falcons were playing their last home game for two weeks, as Atlanta will be in New England next Sunday, and in Germany to face the Indianapolis Colts, one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 season, the following Sunday, Nov. 9.
Atlanta has had difficulty scoring touchdowns this season. The Falcons have managed to score more than 25 points once in six games. That 34-point game came against the Washington Commanders at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sept. 28. It remains the best overall co-performance from the Falcons’ defense and offense. In his second year with the franchise, offensive coordinator Zach Robinson doesn’t seem to have created an offensive identity for the Falcons’ offense.
Enter Kirk Cousins (21-31 for 173 yards on Sunday), who hasn’t started a game since Dec. 12, 2024, when the Falcons defeated the Las Vegas Raiders on the road, 15-9. In that game, Cousins was 11-17 for 112 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier had a combined 34 carries during that game for a combined 168 yards.
After the game, Cousins was asked how it felt to be back out there as a starter. He told The Atlanta Voice, “Anytime you don’t have a win, it’s a tough day, but certainly the first time being back out there in 10 months, playing live football, it’s always good to get that experience.”
The Dolphins, on the other hand, have scored more than 24 points four times this season despite losing more than 90% of their games. Something had to give on Sunday.
Miami scored the first touchdown of the game on its second possession. After a long drive that included a pass interference call on Falcons cornerback Mike Hughes, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found running back De’Von Achane for a five-yard reception and touchdown.
Early on in the game, Cousins’ veteran presence and experience helped the Falcons advance the ball and reduce turnovers. On a fourth and three, Cousins found tight end Kyke Pits Sr. for a first down. A few plays before that, Cousins threw the ball out of play after being flushed out of the pocket. He didn’t force a throw he knew he couldn’t make. That drive ended in a successful 45-yard field goal attempt by Parker Romo.
With Miami ahead 7-3, the Dolphins put together a two-minute drive that ended in a 34-field goal which gave them a 10-3 lead. The short field came courtesy of special teams play, both good and bad.
The good: The Dolphins punted down to the Falcons’ one-yard line following their previous offensive possession.
The bad: Falcons punter Bradley Pinion’s 41-yard punt landed in Falcons territory. The positive return gave the Dolphins a scoring opportunity.
Tagovailoa found several Dolphins receivers other than leading receiver Jayden Waddle for first downs during the game, including Achane, tight end Tanner Connor, and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. It’s a wonder how this team was 1-6 before Sunday.
With 11 seconds remaining in the first half, Tagovailoa found receiver Malik Washington for his second touchdown throw of the game. With that touchdown, the Dolphins were ahead 17-3 at halftime, their best first-half offensive performance of the season.
During the second half of the game, the Falcons’ offense had some motion before Robinson fumbled deep in Dolphins territory. Miami cornerback Tyrel Dodson recovered the fumble on the Dolphins’ 16-yard line. There was little, if any, consistency with the Falcons’ offense. Prior to the fumble, Cousins found Robinson on a screen play for 17 yards.
The Atlanta defense has been the most consistent part of this season thus far. The Falcons had allowed an opponent to score more than 28 points only once this season. That string of play ended when the Dolphins scored their 30th point of the game on a pass from Tagovailoa to running back Ollie Gordion II early in the fourth quarter. Gordon II had been sharing carries with Achane throughout the game and remained a threat to score. The extra point following Gordon II’s touchdown catch made the score 31-3.
Miami would manage another field goal, and the Falcons scored their first field goal of the game on a run by running back Tyler Allgeier. The score was his third of the season.
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